Music Feature

Selina Carrera Is Focused

This established Philly artist has her sights set on a memorable debut.

The past 5 years
has been a quite a ride for Selina Carrera; a Philly songstress who
expresses herself with a smooth, sensual, free spirited attitude.
She's been recording ever since she was a child and got her first
big break with Sony in 2008, only to break away from the record label
a year later.

“I was so excited
that they were interested in me and I kind of just signed stuff
without really knowing what I was signing,” said Carrera, admitting
it was a great learning experience, and even managed to leave on good
terms.

Carrera’s
currently working on her solo debut album and plans to lather the
effort with experimental sounds and many features. Though Carrera’s
album has yet to be titled, she's thought of the name “143,”
which is code for “I love you” in beeping and text message.
She's aiming to release the album by fall of this year, and has
gained production confidence from Dilemma, who happens to be the main
producer for Khemist.

The new record
seeks to be experimental with that classic dose of soul—as in from
Carrera’s soul. Carrera has also worked with Gilbere Forte and his
producer Raak as well. She hopes that bringing all of these elements
together will make for a memorable and solid debut.

“This new project
doesn't sound anything like “Energy (a single Carrera released back
in 2008),” put it that way (laughs). I guess throughout the years
as an artist just growing more and more and just experiencing
different things in life. As I progress as a person, my music is
starting to progress as well...”.

Along with Gilbere
Forte and Khemist, Selina is seeking out Chill Moody, Gogo Morrow,
and others to be featured on the project. After hearing a few tracks
that Carrera has been working on, it's safe to say listeners will be
in for a true treat, whether they make it or not.

“Take Me High”
is smooth and echoes shades of Sade. “Move (No tomorrow)” is a
pure club banger that will definitely make people want to release
themselves to the vibe. “F_ck What They Say” contains a clear
message of not caring about what people have to say, along with some
pretty ambitious sounds.

Ms. Carrera had
great things to say about one of her collaborators in Khemist,
another buzz-worthy performer.

“...His drive is
awesome, his energy is great. I love him as a lyricist. I was just
featured on his Death to Whack Rappers mixtape. It's probably
the first release of me rapping since I released “Energy”...working
with Khemist was really cool, I think he's got a bright future ahead
of him.”

In addition to
Khemist, Carrera has worked with Pras, formerly of The Fugees
(remember him?), G*Lee, Sean Rose, R. Kelly, and others.

Anyone who's
listened to Carrera knows that she comes equipped with lyrical flow
in the form of hip hop and soul; it doesn't end there. Whether she
freestyles, freestyle sings, writes bars, or simply sings her ass
off, Carrera only wants to bring her hopes to fruition.

After her stint
with Sony, Carrera found herself affiliated with Monarch Music Group
as a songwriter after forwarding her music through her vocal coach
and having a meeting with Roy Hamilton The Third (aka RH3). It was there that she
came in contact with Pras and they formed a group by the name of
Axixs. Carrera was fortunate to travel the world performing
different venues, including the World Cup in South Africa and the
Sundance Music Festival in Utah. Even more amazing, it was during
this period that Carrera had the chance to audition to sing backup
for another former Fugee member by the name of Lauryn Hill. Carrera
was one of Hill's first selections. L-Boogie also called Carrera up
about rehearsals. Even though this happened for a short span of
time, it was something that Carrera would never forget.

“...She is like
my favorite fucking artist of all time,” said Carrera, who further
revealed that apparently Hill was high on Carrera’s musical and
performing capabilities.

“...It just makes
me feel like none of my work is in vain...”

Carrera has been
firmly behind the Philadelphia music scene and feels that labels
can't be placed on her artistry; she leaves the opinion of her work
up to us.

“I'm not sure, I
guess, that's for Philly to decide. I don't like to really put
myself in any kind of box. The only box I put myself in, is a box
that doesn't exist.”